What you seek

is seeking you.

- Mevlana Jalaladdin Rumi

The Path

The Sufi Path is a path of love. Through following this path under the direction of a guide (Shaykh) who has been authorised to teach others, we are able to develop a real love of God and an intuiting of God’s Presence. This new awareness evokes a compassion and love for all of God’s Creation. We become capable of reaching a direct experience of God and as a consequence of this, an understanding as to the true nature of our own being.

Through Sufi knowledge and practices of engaging in remembrance of God (known as Dhikr Allah) we find that the psychological and physical knots that bind us to disharmony and discord within ourselves dissolve, and we begin to experience a tranquility of heart and a deep peace which opens the way to the experience of God’s Reality.

In a time such as ours where the usual condition of most people is heralded either by confusion, uncertainty and doubt, or by self-indulgence and a relentless pursuit of ephemeral experiences, Sufism offers another way of being in the world which addresses the nobility of the human being and sheds light on our very reason for existence.

All of these processes lead to a more balanced way of life. On the personal level we of course benefit, but so do our families and loved ones and those around us.

Sufis believe that virtues like grace and consideration polish the heart and clear a space in us where something extraordinary can enter.

We say, come, learn how to remember your Lord with every breath you take, learn the adab (manners of grace and consideration) of Sufism, and wait with patience for God to replace your remembrance of Him with His Divine Presence in your awakened heart which has come to know true peace.

One who knows the secret is freed from his/her self and lives in the company of the Beloved.

- Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir

Our Methods

Zikr or Dhikr

We chant the liturgy of the Naqshbandi tradition which has been handed down through the Saints of The Golden Chain.

Illahi or Qasidah

We sing traditional songs of praise and worship.

Mevlevi Sema

For those interested to learn, we teach the Mevlevi Turning and Sema (Whirling Ceremony of Mevlana Jalaladdin Rumi).

Sohbet or Subha

These are talks in which Sufi knowledge is explained and practical advice is given on the nature of the spiritual journey with a view to guiding people in their own personal journey of self-knowledge and character refinement leading to God-Realisation.

Community

We come together with a common purpose - to know ourselves, and to know God. The collective energy brings increased focus to our spiritual practices and has an uplifting quality. And by stepping out of the experience of isolation and separateness, we have an opportunity to refine our being through service to others and practising the virtues of generosity, gratitude and patience.

The nearness of God cannot be obtained without being in the company of a perfect guide and teacher.

- Shaykh Khawaja Muinuddin Chisti

Our Guides

Grandshaykh Mawlana Muhammed Nazim Adil al-Haqqani (1922 -2014) was leader of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order from 1973 to 2014. He worked tirelessly to promote Sufism and religious tolerance around the world and was widely acknowledged to be the greatest living Sufi. To those fortunate enough to meet him, his luminous character was immediately self-evident.

Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani is a Sufi Shaykh from the Middle East. His arduous spiritual training of 40 years, at the hands of his Grandshaykh and his Shaykh, has endowed him with the virtuous qualities of great wisdom, intellect and compassion.

Shaykh Abdul Wahid has been appointed as the leader of the Naqshbandi Tariqat for Australia by Mawlana Shaykh Nazim (may God be pleased with him) and by Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani. He has authority to conduct the Khatm Khajawgan (The Ceremony of the Masters of Wisdom) which is the main Naqshbandi liturgy, the Mevlevi Sema (whirling ceremony), give Bayat (initiation) to those who wish to become sincere followers of the Sufi tradition, as well as full authority to give Subha (spiritual discourses).

Shaykh Abdullah Sirr-Dan al-Jamal was a remarkable and much-revered teacher of the Sufi Path. He had a very close association with Mawlana Shaykh Nazim (QS) and was well known to Mawlana Shaykh Hisham. He was also an intimate friend of many other Masters of the Sufi Path, including Shaykh Muzzaffer Ozak (QS) the former Grandshaykh of the Halveti Jerrahi Tariqat.

Hazem Omran has been a devotee and follower of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim (QS) since his early twenties. He always had a love for the spiritual dimension of Islam and, with the support of his family, established the Naqshbandi Haqqani zikr circles in Australia in the early years. He continues to lead the traditional khatm khwajagan zikr in Melbourne at our weekly gatherings.

Guides of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order are linked in a chain of succession, or spiritual lineage, back to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA) and to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) whose speech and example showed the Way to inner peace and nearness to God.

Your First Visit

We welcome all newcomers! Join us for an uplifting evening of singing, chanting, and Sufi discourse.

Our associations or meetings are held regularly in Melbourne and Sydney (details below). Please contact us before attending your first event to avoid disappointment if there has been an unexpected change of times or venues.

When You Arrive

We ask that you remove your shoes as you enter. There is space provided to rest them near the entrance. During cold weather, warm socks are suggested. Please come modestly dressed.

Sit in the circle with us - you can sit in a chair or on a cushion on the floor, as you prefer.

After The Event

We invite you to stay for home-cooked food prepared by the mureeds (Sufi students) and take the opportunity to speak with members of our community about their experience of the Sufi Path. Feel free to ask questions.

Please Note: If you have a scholarly interest in Sufism, comparative religion, Islamic Sharia, etc. then you may not find the conversation you are looking for with us. Our members are from many different countries and many different backgrounds and have come together with a desire for personal, inner development and to follow the core teachings of religion. University is the place for building high education in the mind, our gatherings are for laying strong foundations of faith in the heart.

Although you appear in earthly form
Your essence is pure Consciousness.
You are the fearless guardian
of Divine Light.

- Mevlana Jalaladdin Rumi

More Information

Articles on Sufism

Sufi spiritual thought is based on trying to achieve a station of nearness to God (Allah), or enlightenment. This station can be variously associated with states such as ecstasy, inner peace and self-realization. The big questions are simple: how and why to get from what you are today, to this station? For many people this…

Mystic or Gnostic ideas tend to be somewhat similar across religions, which is not very surprising. They all encourage a direct experience of nearness to God (Allah), and use a variety of guidance and religious practices to get there. This inner experience is a “state”, however a “station” is a more permanent affair, the highest…

Islam was initiated by the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) who lived in Mecca and then Medina from 570/571 – 632 CE. He left the Koran (recitation), Sunnah (his example) and Sahaba (his companions, who he trained). In Arabic, a Muslim is simply “one who has surrendered to God (Allah)” or “has found peace.”

In common with other mystic or gnostic ways, the Sufi path to spiritual knowledge is followed by a community of people who seek a state of inner peace and nearness to God (Allah), or enlightenment. Sufism springs from the heart of Islam, and this sacred knowledge has been passed in an unbroken chain

Quick Details

More Information

Melbourne Sufi Group regular meetings are held on Saturday evenings in either Essendon or Craigieburn. Please call to find out where the week's event is happening.

Meetings typically include Qasidas (songs of worship), Sohba (spiritual discourse) and Dhikr (chanting meditation). The evening finishes with a light meal prepared by Sufi Group members - this is a good time to talk to other Group members or the Shaykh.

Other

Ample free parking available.

First visit free, then $10 per visit. This is all we ask from regular Group members - it is used to fund the Group's needs.

If you would like to bring a plate of food, please no pork, raw onions or raw garlic.

Note that start time changes during the month of Ramadan to align with sunset and breaking of the fast. There is no Sema practice during Ramadan.